Despite the grizzly rain, it's been another brilliant weekend! Yesterday afternoon we headed into Cowbridge for a leisurely stroll (darting in and out of shop doorways to avoid the downpour). After heading to Bar44 in Penarth just last week, we had to fight temptation to head over to the Cowbridge branch for lunch. Instead we opted for cosy British cafe comfort and decided to try out the Quarter Penny Cafe. As we entered, we realised that there was a queue for tables- which we took as a good sign. The cakes in the counter looked amazing, very much in an oversized, rustic, home made way- rather than the petit delicacies of a French Patisserie. Service was efficient and friendly; we only waited about 10 mins in the end, and were informed about the wait from the start. Mr B choose a hearty steak and watercress sandwich with hand cut chips, and I went for a spot of afternoon tea. Baring in mind Quarter Penny comes across very much as a traditional little cafe, we were surprised (but pleased!) to see that the steak came served blue without being asked, the cut of meat was thicker than your average minute steak- but beautifully tender, which meant that the generous portion was welcome. The chips were good- crispy and golden with skin on, the perfect accompaniment to the simple lunch. My afternoon tea consisted of 4 thin slices of toasted baguette topped with egg mayo, tuna, smoked salmon and coronation chicken. I must admit that I had forgotten just how lovely that retro classic of coronation chicken is, I also appreciated the fact that I think thigh meat had been used rather than breast, much tastier in my opinion. The portions of the open sandwiches were very delicate to allow room for the slab of cream cheese topped carrot and walnut cake and the billowing jam & cream scone which came with the afternoon tea, both of which tasted very much like home made and were delicious. May I just point out that Mr B and I split the cakes, just so you don’t think that I'm a complete guts (although I pretty much am). If I were to go again, I'd skip the afternoon tea deal (£7.95) and head straight for a coronation sarnie on white- I'm more of a savoury person really. The cafe was very busy with all sorts of different people- family's, young couples, older ladies taking coffee and cake; a very friendly vibe. This isn't the place for refined formal dining, but it is the ideal independent cafe retreat from a rainy day, with cakes that stick to your ribs, and a good strong brew to warm your cockles.
Post white refined flour/ sugar gorge- we decided that some bracing sea air was in order. Mr B and I are a little strange, in that we love the beach when it's grey, raining and windy. It has more character, honestly! Some photos of the beautiful Llantwit Major, complete with liberal precipitation below. Not to get all poetic on you, but the noise that the pebbles make as the sea draws in for it's next wave, sounds so pretty and musical. Ok, that did sound a bit girly, buts it's true.
Post white refined flour/ sugar gorge- we decided that some bracing sea air was in order. Mr B and I are a little strange, in that we love the beach when it's grey, raining and windy. It has more character, honestly! Some photos of the beautiful Llantwit Major, complete with liberal precipitation below. Not to get all poetic on you, but the noise that the pebbles make as the sea draws in for it's next wave, sounds so pretty and musical. Ok, that did sound a bit girly, buts it's true.
After beaching we needed warming up. I used the little pumpkin that I got at Roath Farmers market the week before, and made a Burmese Beef & Pumpkin Curry, again a recipe from Charmaine Solomon. The results were hearty and warming, eaten in bowls with large glasses of wine whilst watching Woody Allen’s
Today has been a domestic affair, with DIY and some final unpacking from our move just before Christmas. Our only trip out today was to go to Tile shops, I know, I know- this is fascinating stuff, your on the edge of your seat, right? The reason that I am bothering to write about this, is that to break up the mundane we took some pretzel rolls (more Waitrose bargains, 5p each!) that we filled with salami and cheese, so that we could have a mini picnic whilst overlooking Penarth beach. We did venture out in the rain briefly to get some teas from the Pier, but even I draw the line at eating in the rain. From the shelter of our little car we watched the intrepid sailing students as we dined dans le Golf.
On the way home we popped into Masala Bazaar, where I tend to get a fair amount of my Asian ingredients. Purchased, was a big bowl full of Okra for £1 and a bag of baby aubergines for £1.50- you will have gathered already that I love a bargain!
Tonight, we have mainly been watching Serbian cinema (Mr B's choice) and eating Italian. This weather seems to lend itself to carbfests. So we had Salami and Tomato pasta for Nigella's 'Kitchen' and oregano roasted baby aubergines courtesy of Nigelissima. For pud we had a proper Sunday bread and butter pudding, made with the less than traditional Italian Pandoro. The aubergines are wonderful cooked this way, they take on a crisp golden surface, and the garlicky zingy dressing really lifts the sweet flesh. The pudding was as it should be, wobbly and creamy with a delicate vanilla and cinnamon undertone running through.
Pleasantly fuelled for the week ahead, its time to ignore the Sunday night mini rumble of stress- as thoughts of meetings and deadlines start to ripple in my brain. Time for a paned and book instead.
Hope that you have a great week! Nos da! X
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